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THE ADVANTAGES OF TELEWORKING
Research report, Teleworking in Britain, published by the Employment
Department, shows that one in 10
employers already employ teleworkers and a
further 8.5% fully intend to introduce teleworking
to their organisations in the near future.
Managers cited the main advantages of using this workstyle
as flexibility, reduced cost, convenience
and a solution to travel problems. Employers also revealed a high level of
satisfaction with the arrangements they have with their teleworking
employees. However the survey found that only the most motivated, trusted and experienced staff are chosen from existing on-site staff for the
flexible nature of this workstyle.
A favourable comparison was noted between teleworkers
and those employees still in the office. The general opinion was that teleworkers tend to be more productive and reliable than on-site staff, producing
better work with lower rates of absenteeism and turnover.
The teleworking workstyle
is found in a large range of
industries, most commonly among professional workers and clerical occupations in the non-retail service industry.
Teleworking may remain a minority form
of workstyle for a few years yet, but there is undoubtedly a steady increase in its popularity. As the
technology becomes ever more widely available and more portable and
reliable- and, crucially, cheaper- this new workstyle
will spread throughout industry as
the experience of administrating and exploiting this new way of working
accumulates.
Unlike many new technologies,
it is hard to see major social disadvantages coming from an increase in teleworking. For hard pressed business people, hasn’t
anything that makes for less
travelling and more time available to spend with their families, got to be a
good thing?
Managing your Business, autumn 1994